Should Huck Finn Be Taught in Schools?

Although globally admired, Huck Finn is a very controversial book. The repeated uses of the n-word offend people who still find this term insensitive and demeaning. One mother, Kathy Monteiro, says that each student should have the right to, “feel like a human being in the classroom,” and the reading of the n-word will prevent that from happening. (Ironically, this was not the grievance of previous generations, but instead Huck’s improper behavior and twisted morals.) However, writer David Bradley says that author Mark Twain believed in abolition. Bradley also argues that instead of supporting racism, Twain is commenting on the injustice of the lack of black rights. Huck, the narrator, changes his perspective as the novel progresses. As Huck begins to, “see Jim as a real person,” his point of view towards Jim changes. Jim becomes more complex as the novel develops, showing us his hopes, desires for freedom, and family life. By developing Jim as a character, Twain is mocking the people of the early 1900s’ narrow way of thinking, and challenging them to view African Americans in a different light. Rather than encouraging the degradation of the black race, Twain shows the similarities and “human,” qualities, making Huck Finn acceptable for today’s classrooms.